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Permalink Reply by Gregg R Thomas on March 11, 2013 at 12:34pm

The Manned Mars mission is now being discussed as a one-way deal.

Making it a colonization deal instead of round trips.

The major expense is escaping the planet with all that life support weight, a one-way trip means you don't have the cost of a launch off the Martian surface.  No need to carry extra launch system and fuel, turn all that excess weight into stuff to build a colony with.

Once a successful colony is established all you need to do is send supply drones (no need for life support).

It's a more practical plan, it's just a one-way trip for the people.

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There is no reason not to send all the materials for the colony up first.

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Permalink Reply by Unseen on March 11, 2013 at 12:46pm

Not exactly what people mean by "colonizing," though. So, I wonder who is willing to sign up for a one-way trip, never to be physically present with their family ever again.

A penal colony, perhaps. A kind of Devil's Island in space.

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Permalink Reply by Gregg R Thomas on March 11, 2013 at 12:50pm

They already have volunteer astronauts for the job.

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